Trojan baseball sweeps Lenoir-Rhyne

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 10, 2008 2:11 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Jason Sherrer's two-run single broke a 3-3 tie and ignited an eight-run, seventh-inning outburst as No. 3-ranked Mount Olive defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 11-3 in game one of their non-conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Schlecht threw a complete-game, five-hitter and Sherrer added four hits -- including a home run -- in the nightcap as the Trojans prevailed 10-2.

The teams conclude their three-game series today. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Scarborough Field.

Game one remained tied until the Trojans (5-1) loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on a lead-off single by David Cooper and one-out walks to Rich Racobaldo and Erik Lovett. Sherrer lined a single to center to put Mount Olive on top for the first time 5-3.

A wild pitch brought home Lovett. The Trojans loaded the bases again on an infield single by Jesse Lancaster and a walk to Jackson Massey.

Williams walked to bring in a run and Lancaster scored on an errant pickoff attempt at third to make the score 8-3.

Weston Curles (1-0) started the top of the fourth for Mount Olive in place of starter Casey Hodges. After giving up a one-out double, Curles retired 15 consecutive batters before allowing consecutive singles in the top of the ninth. Curles struck out five and walked none.

In the second game, Evan Taylor's two-run double in the top of the first gave Lenoir-Rhyne a 2-0 lead. But Sherrer's two-run homer broke a 2-2 tie and capped a four-run first inning as the Trojans took the lead for good. The home run was the third of the year for Sherrer.

After allowing three hits in the first inning, Schlecht (2-0) held Lenoir-Rhyne hitless until giving up a pair of two-out singles in the top of the seventh. Schlecht struck out five and retired 18 of 20 batters during one stretch.

Lovett and Mike Kicia contributed two hits apiece.